Instructions

ZOOM IN by clicking on the page. A slider will appear, allowing you to adjust your zoom level. Return to the original size by clicking on the page again.

MOVE the page around when zoomed in by dragging it.

ADJUST the zoom using the slider on the top right.

ZOOM OUT by clicking on the zoomed-in page.

SEARCH by entering text in the search field and click on "In This Issue" or "All Issues" to search the current issue or the archive of back issues
respectively.
.

PRINT by clicking on thumbnails to select pages, and then press the
print button.

SHARE this publication and page.

ROTATE PAGE allows you to turn pages 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.Click on the page to return to the original orientation. To zoom in on a rotated page, return the page to its original orientation, zoom in, and
then rotate it again.

CONTENTS displays a table of sections with thumbnails and descriptions.

ALL PAGES displays thumbnails of every page in the issue. Click on
a page to jump.

BROWSE ISSUES allows you to browse through every available issue.

Registration to Air Force News is free.Once registered you will be notified by email when new issue is published.

AIRF RCE August 28, 2014 News 3 Above left, humanitarian aid cargo bound for Mt Sinjar in northern Iraq arrives at Al Minhad Air Base on a C-17A Globemaster; above right, the crew which made the drop, left from rear, LAC Samuel Watts, FLTLT Christopher Bassingthwaighte, FSGT Paul Ross, SQNLDR Cameron Clark, SGT Barney Hayward and FSGT Greg Milne. Mercy drop by Hercules A An RAAF Hercules was among 16 aircraft that dropped supplies to people trapped on Mt Sinjar in Iraq, LEUT Peter Croce reports. N RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft has completed the most complex operational humanitarian air drop mis- sion in more than a decade to save lives in northern Iraq. The Hercules detachment deployed to Joint Task Force 633 at Al Minhad Air Base as part of Operation Accordion, was rapidly reinforced with extra crews from No. 37 Squadron in response to a humanitarian crisis on Mt Sinjar in northern Iraq. A group of civilians, most from the Yazidi minority, had fled to Mt Sinjar to escape attacks by terrorist organisation the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The mission on August 13 was planned and coordinated through JTF633 including the logistical efforts of RAAF’s Combat Support Unit-11, JTF633.2 (Air Component Command) and the Army’s 176 Air Dispatch Squadron, which deployed personnel to prepare the air cargo. Deputy Commander JTF633 AIRCDRE Noel Derwort said meticulous planning had gone into the mission and he was not surprised by its success. An RAAF loadmaster watches the tail ramp of his blackedout C-130J Hercules transport aircraft lower as the final approach is made through the night sky towards Mt Sinjar for the first airdrop of Australian aid. “The entire Joint Task Force had been focused on ensuring we could deliver critical humanitarian aid to the people stranded in northern Iraq,” he said. “Not only did the Air Force, Navy and Army personnel from JTF633 work together to produce a successful mission, we also achieved it while also balancing our need to support personnel in Afghanistan as well as coordinating a visit from the Prime Minister and CDF. “The fact we could carry out all these tasks concurrently speaks volumes of the professionalism and skills of our people.” The mission delivered 10 bundles of critical supplies to people trapped on Mt Sinjar by encircling ISIL forces. The cargo included 150 boxes of high-energy biscuits and 340 boxes of bottled water – enough to sustain 3700 people for 24 hours. The operational air drop was the first mass air delivery of humanitarian cargo since the outbreak of violence in East Timor in 1999. The Australian Hercules was one of a 16-aircraft package, including USAF C-17s and C-130Hs and a British C-130J, to respond to the humanitarian disaster. Prime Minister Tony Abbott and CDF ACM Mark Binskin inspected the loaded aircraft during a whistlestop tour of the base. Pilot will never forget mission C-130J pilot SQNLDR Cameron Clark will never forget the night he assisted in delivering humanitarian aid to civilians stranded in northern Iraq. XO No. 37 Squadron SQNLDR Clark praised the efforts of the aircrew and the wider Joint Task Force personnel. “It was a challenging mission flown on night-vision goggles into a very congested air space, in what we expected would be a moderate threat environment, but for a very important mission,” he said. “It was a four-hour transit until we reached our marshalling area with about 16 other aircraft includ- ing ISR assets, close-air support and an airlift package comprising C-17s and C-130Hs from the US Air Force and C-130Js from the RAF and US. “Mt Sinjar is a pretty impressive geological feature. As we overflew it on our run-in it was quite dark with no cultural lighting at all. “As we approached the drop zone (DZ) we made a thorough scan for threats and also to ensure the area was clear so we didn’t injure the people we were trying to help.” He said one of the most impres- sive experiences of his career was when he arrived at the C-130 Detachment for the mission brief prior to launch. “It was late at night and the place was alive with activity,” SQNLDR Clark said. “At first glance it looked like chaos, but when you examined it closely you could tell everyone was working methodically to a single purpose. “The tactical situation on the mountain was very fluid and we were required to change our DZ at very late notice after we had commenced our run-in. The thorough planning ensured that this became just a detail. “It is unbelievably satisfying to complete a mission of this complexity in a threat environment.” SGT Barney Hayward examines paperwork as cargo is loaded. “In the end, all I had to do was walk to the aircraft, perform my normal in-flight duties and confirm good deployment of the chutes after the other two loadmasters had released the cargo over the ramp. “It’s definitely a career highlight and I am very privileged to be given the opportunity to participate in this mission.” Do you want a PHAT Tax Return? Defence Force tax specialists - We have extensive experience across all ranks and specialities, including: • Members with investment properties • Members who have served overseas • Members who have fallen behind on lodging their tax returns Maximum returns - We know all the specific deductions, so you get a great tax return every year! Phone consultations - All tax returns are completed over the phone, so you don’t have to leave your base, ship or assignment One Tax agent - We are not limited to locality so you and your family dont ever have to look for another tax agent again Call our 24/7 bookings hotline 1300 763 575 or visit us online at www.phatreturns.com.au Photos: CPL Janine Fabre. Satisfaction for job well done SGT Barney Hayward was performing observer duties as the augmented loadmaster when his two compatriots cut the restraining ties and sent 10 bundles of humanitarian aid, including water and biscuits, under parachute into the night sky. “It was an absolute honour to be involved and it was a big relief when everything went out the back of the aircraft the way it should and seeing everybody’s hard work pay off,” he said. “My job was easy. The whole base had worked their guts out getting the aid, packing the aircraft for us and planning the mission.